AI Insight
Researchers at Hong Kong Polytechnic University have developed the Tumour Heterogeneity Index (THI), an imaging biomarker that can predict breast cancer patients' response to AKT inhibitor drugs before treatment begins. Patients identified as having high THI showed a pathological complete response rate of 56.1%, significantly exceeding the response rate in low THI patients. This noninvasive assessment tool allows clinicians to determine which patients are most likely to benefit from this specific therapy.
Why it matters
The THI could enable personalized treatment selection for breast cancer patients, ensuring they receive the most effective therapy from the outset while avoiding unnecessary side effects from ineffective treatments. This predictive capability represents a significant step toward precision medicine in oncology, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs associated with trial-and-error treatment approaches.
Understand the Science
Researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have developed an imaging biomarker, the Tumour Heterogeneity Index (THI), which enables noninvasive assessment of breast cancer patients’ response to AKT inhibitors before treatment, helping clinicians identify patients most likely to benefit from therapy. The study found that patients with a high THI achieved an estimated pathological complete response (pCR) rate of 56.1%, significantly higher than that of patients with a low THI. The technology could help patients receive the most appropriate treatment at an earlier stage, reduce unnecessary side effects and enable clinicians to better tailor treatment strategies to individual patients.
Source: Tumor index can identify breast cancer patients' drug response